Avalon weddings and pregnancies

In order to illustrate the touches of realism which Avalon possesses, it is worth mentioning two of the less regular events in the land; the weddings and the divine gift of pregnancy. Weddings take place, as one might expect, between two Avalonian adults - often cementing ties between cities or uniting powerful individuals. Traditionally they used to be held in the Mercinaen cathedral or one of the temples in Thakria but in modern times patron deities and patron temples tend to be the chosen venues.

Weddings are officiated (or presided over) by Gods, senior members of the priesthood or those of sufficient priestly rank to be given the honour of a single presiding. This honour is bestowed via the PRESIDENT command and will be documented in your priesthood lists if you have the ability. If you are presiding over a wedding, you type WEDDING <bride> <groom> - in that format and no other - to initiate Avalon's traditional wedding ceremony centered on Mercinae's ancient cathedral. WEDDING OFF aborts the ceremony. The traditional ceremony will set in motion a build-up of messages picturesque and bountiful and eventually lead to the point of the bride and groom awaiting the denouement - the actual marriage itself - which is performed by the priest/God presiding and taken to the point of the vows being given.

The final Avalon-wide message before the manual ceremony is: "Avalon stands as one, the Earth of Aldaron, the Seas of Proteus and the Sky of Pericles, within the confines of creation itself, a single voice crying union to BRIDE and GROOM."

This is the point at which the wedding shifts from Avalon-wide to within the Mercinaen Cathedral. The presiding priest or God types WELCOME in the cathedral when satisfied the congregation is present and everything is ready. This will set in motion the interior displays, a further twenty texts culminating:

"As the cathedral falls dark, a lonely shaft of light falls on BRIDE and GROOM locked in embrace, a perfect image of unity and bonding."

And at this point, the presiding priest/God takes over entirely and goes through the ceremonial part unique to the particular wedding. Once the vows are given the presiding official types MARRY and the bond is made; the wedding is complete!

Pregnancy is often a by-product of a wedding, though more often it is a gift bestowed upon mortals unknown to them by the benevolent deities. Pregnancy lasts over a period of nine months, at which point the pregnant mother-to-be will be able to give birth. She will find herself experiencing labour pains and eventually going into labour fully - all will be described - where typing BEAR CHILD begins the birthing process. The child which is born will be helpless and dependent on its parents to defend it against the bitter, cruel world. It will grow through childhood and eventually, upon reaching maturity, will fly the nest and become an independent adult in his/her own right.